Louise McPhetridge Thaden, a native of Arkansas, made significant contributions to aviation history, paving the way for women in the industry. Born in 1905 in Bentonville, she became enamored with flying after taking a plane ride with a barnstormer. This led her to earn her pilot’s certificate in 1928, becoming the fourth woman in the United States to do so.
Thaden’s aviation career was marked by numerous records and achievements, including winning the first National Women’s Air Derby in 1929 and setting altitude, endurance, and speed records for women. She also co-piloted the first women’s team to win the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race in 1936.
After retiring from competitive flying, Thaden worked with her husband’s engineering company and the Civil Air Patrol. She eventually passed away in 1979, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of aviation.
In 2017, the Thaden School was opened in Bentonville to honor her and her husband’s contributions to education and aviation. She was posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
To this day, Thaden’s impact on aviation is celebrated, with a cafe named Louise in her honor at the Thaden Fieldhouse in Bentonville. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring female aviators around the world.
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